North East Tamil-Muslim unity stressed

[TamilNet, Monday, 23 September 2002, 19:21 GMT]"Sinhalese politicians have now realized that they can no longer adopt
divide and rule policy between Tamils and Muslims when serious negotiations
are in progress to resolve the ethnic conflict," said Mr. R.Sampanthan,
Tamil National Alliance leader and district parliamentarian addressing the Tamil language
day celebrations held Monday in Trincomalee. Tamils and Muslims should shed
their differences, especially in the northeast province, if we are to achieve
sustainable peace, Mr.Sampanthan appealed.

The Tamil language day celebrations were held under the auspices of zonal
education office at Trincomalee St.Joseph's College auditorium. Zonal
Director of Education Mr.K.Thilakaretnam presided.

Mr.Sampanthan, participating as the chief guest said, "more than ninety
percent of the northeast population is Tamil speaking. Tamils and
Muslims have lived in the province for centuries. The northeast is the
homeland
for Tamils and Muslims. Tamils and Muslims are united by language, divided
only by religion."

During the next round of peace talks at Thailand, a Muslim delegation will
raise their issues with the LTTE. By directly raising the issues with LTTE,
problems can be immediately addressed and resolved, Mr.Sampanthan said.

The government has realized that a solution to the ethnic conflict could be
found not by war but through negotiations, he added.

The chief guest TNA parliamentarian Mr.R.Sampanthan and distinguished guest
TNA national list MP Mr.K.Thurairetnasingham led by Trincomalee zonal
director of education Mr.K.Thilakaretnam taken in a procession to the venue
of Tamil language day celebrations.

Trincomalee district United national Party parliamentarian Mr.M.A.M.
Maharoof said "Tamil language is a core part of my identity. Trincomalee
district
has long history connected with Koneswaram temple. We should not take any
steps that undermine our ancient history of Trincomalee and the unity of
Tamils and Muslims in the province."

Mr.Sampanthan said, "in future we must have the right to determine our
education policy. We cannot allow others who do not know Tamil language to
decide our educational needs. "Every government that comes to power changes
the educational system to suit its needs. This should not be allowed any
more. The formulation of the
country's educational policy should be left in the hands of intelligentsia
and not in hands of politicians, he said.